Improvement in preparing tobacco



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM S. KIMBALL, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM S.KIMBALL 86 00.,

OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN PREPARING TOBACCO.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 152,649, dated June 30,1874; application filed May 27, 1874.

To all whom. "it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM S. KIMBALL, of the city of Rochester, in thecounty of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a certain new anduseful Improvement in Preparing and Manufacturing Tobacco,

known as Vanity Fair, and I do hereby declare that the following isfull, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention consists of an improved process of treating tobacco, bywhich, when the same is run through an ordinary cutting-machine, itcomes out in thin flakes, or in a flaky condition, which serves as aparticular and distinguishing mark to the brand of tobacco. It alsoconsists, as an improved article, in the material thus formed in flakes,or in a flaky condition, by the process named.

In carrying out my invention, I free the leaves of the stems, and spreadthem upon the floor in the ordinary manner. I then treat them with asolution of gum-arabic, or equivalent adhesive material, by sprinklingor otherwise, and when properly dried the leaves are passed through anordinay cutting-machine, and cut in the ordinary manner. In passingthrough the machine the tobacco is compressed, and the leaves, adheringby reason of the gum applied thereto, are formed into a compact mass,which, when out, leaves the cuttings in flakes, or in a flaky condition,as before described. Enough of the gum only is applied to produce thenecessary adhesion, and but a small quantity is required in practicaluse, since the leaves readily attach to each other, and in thecompressing action become embedded firmly together, and in the cuttingaction the flakes which are produced retain the same adhesion of theirparticles.

In this process of treatment the tobacco is used in its dried state, theonly dampening being by the application of the solution of gum beforecutting. It is subjected to no pressure before passing to thecutting-machine, but the pressure is done instantaneously in thecutting-machine, and just before reach ing the knives. is held in afirmly-compressed state at the time of cutting, and, when the cutting isperformed, the flakes come out in a perfect state, and in the bestcondition for use.

This peculiar article is manufactured from the raw leaf at less expense,and in a more perfect manner, than has heretofore been done. It isspecially adapted to making cigarettes, as, by reason of the flakes, thetobacco can be laid more in lengths, thereby keeping in position in thepapers better than when tine, or in a powdered or snarled condition, inwhich case the material is liable to fall out of the papers in burning.In my case the flakes have sufficient length to retain position underall circumstances, and approximate, in this respect, to the rollsforming ordinary cigars. In cigarettes, also, the flakes allow a betterdraft in smoking, and, when closely rolled, obviate undue burning of thepaper envelope. In chewing-tobacco this treatment presents the tobaccoin the best form for use, and it obviates, in a great degree, the bitingor pungent qualities of other tobacco, which renders it particularlyadapted to meerschaum smoking.

Having thus fully described my invention. what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The processherein describedof preparing tobacco, by first treating it with gum-water, or otherequivalent, to produce adhesion, and then passing it througha cuttingmachine, to cut it into flakes, or into a flaky condition, as specified.

2. As a new and improved article of manufacture, tobacco pressed and cutinto flakes, or into a flaky condition, in the manner and by the meanshereinbefore specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twowitnesses.

WILLIAM S. .KIMBALL.

lNitnesses E. B. Soo'rr, w R. F. Oscoon.

In this manner the tobacco,

